Kenya’s rhinoceroses have had their share of tragic events lately: in March, the last male northern white rhino died, and just recently eight black rhinos perished after being transported from Nairobi National Park and Nakuru National Park to a newly-created sanctuary in Tsavo East National Park.
Now, however, some good news: a baby white rhino in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia National Park has been named after UN Environment’s Goodwill Ambassador for India, Dia Mirza.
Dia Mirza, a 37-year old Indian model, Bollywood actress, producer, and social activist, is thrilled: “I want to thank Hamid Hussain and Muhammad Yaqoob and the entire team at #OlPejetaConservancy including Richard, Sarah, and Elodie for naming this amazing #Rhino baby after me!” she posted on Facebook.
“Please support Hamid and Richard in their mission in helping save and conserve wildlife. Do visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy… Every visitor there contributes to helping save wildlife.” Visitors can also hope to sight the baby rhino, if they’re lucky.
On World Environment Day 2017, Dia Mirza was appointed Brand Ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of India. She has since been helping to secure 101 corridors for India’s wild elephants, joining the growing number of celebrities who dedicate their time and resources to protect nature’s riches. As part of UN Environment’s Wild for Life campaign, she features as a snow leopard.
A high-protection park
Ol Pejeta has over 140 rhinoceroses, mainly the much rarer black rhinos. Now East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary, it started with a population of just four, in 1989. There is a total of about 750 black rhinos in Kenya.
The conservancy has partnered with international scientists, conservationists, and technology companies, and has highly trained rangers, a rapid response unit, infrared camera traps and radio technology.
“The park’s monitoring team must sight each rhino at least every three days – emergency procedures are activated if a rhino goes unsighted for longer than four days,” says the conservancy.
As a result, Ol Pejeta’s rhino population has grown steadily towards its maximum carrying capacity on the 36,421 hectares site (the maximum population size that the environment can sustain). In May 2018, the total black rhino population in the conservancy had reached 120.
In 2015, Ol Pejeta secured the neighbouring Mutara Conservation Area from the government. The additional 8,093 hectares act as a black rhino dispersal area, as well as connect Ol Pejeta and the greater Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem. The latter is critical for migrating wildlife, such as elephants and wild dogs.
Source : unenvironment.org
